And it all paid off on Jan. 18 when she gave birth to her baby girl, Amalya, at home.

Now settling in as a family of three (plus their protective pooch, Murphy!), Trebunskaya, 33, and her actor boyfriend, Nevin Millan, are basking in complete baby bliss.

From the days leading up to her natural water birth to the most surprising part of motherhood, the Dancing with the Stars pro is opening up to PEOPLE about her first few weeks as a new mom.

PEOPLE: How are you feeling?

Anna: I’m feeling good, actually. I’m slightly in a haze/twilight zone. It’s been a few weeks and it’s gone by so fast. It’s nice. It’s very different than the kind of life I had before. This is different. This is great.

PEOPLE: Tell us about Nevin – how did you meet? How is he as a dad?

Anna: He loves it. He’s a hands-on dad and does everything I do except breastfeed. He loves carrying her around. Nevin‘s an actor/producer, and I took acting classes for two years. We started to talk and that evolved. We both were ready for this step. We’re not 18, you know! Having kids is something we both wanted. We adore each other so we’re excited to be on this journey together.

PEOPLE: You decided to have a homebirth – why did you choose that and how did you prepare?

Anna: Everybody makes their own decisions — this just seemed the most natural to me. I wanted to have a natural birth and I wanted to have her at home. I had no medication. I went full on, as nature has intended.

Your body is going through so much change being pregnant and the things you have to go through during labor are insane. I was amazed, like, “My body just did what?!” Women’s bodies are phenomenal. A lot of women are scared of a natural birth and for good reason. But I had a good pregnancy. I had no problems, good health, so natural birth was an easy decision for me.

I will say I did a lot of research on it. I put time and effort into watching videos and documentaries, meeting with my midwife and reading books. I took birthing classes, which teach you natural ways of eliminating pain and stress. That really helped a lot.

If anybody is considering a homebirth, they have to get themselves prepared. It’s by no means a walk in the park, but it’s definitely worth it. It was one of the most profound experiences I’ve ever had.

PEOPLE: Tell us about your labor and delivery.

Anna:The day before I was walking around the block, making myself dinner and having a cup of tea — meanwhile I was having full on contractions! All the way leading up to the birth, I was in the bedroom or I was walking up and down the stairs.

But in a way, the walking felt better to me. I was on the big yoga ball stretching and Nevin was rubbing my back during the contractions, helping me relax and breathe through it. There was a method to the madness. We did a lot of preparations.

It was me, Nevin, our midwife and her assistant. The four of us. My mom came at the very end when we had her. My mom was scared for us — she thought I was crazy!

I delivered her in the bathtub in the master bedroom — it was a water birth. Once she was born, they pulled her out of the water and she made a little whimper and started making sounds. They put her on my chest and she went straight to my boob!

PEOPLE: You’re amazing!

Anna: Oh, thank you. I’ll take a little credit. It was an intense experience.

PEOPLE: What’s surprised you about yourself now that you’re a mom?

Anna: I thought, “Oh, I’ll probably want to go back and work out right away and get back into my schedule,” and to be honest with you, I don’t feel like I want to. I want to stay home every moment and watch her eat and sleep.

What surprised me is I never knew how excited I’d be about my daughter pooping and peeing. I’m like, “Yes! Everything is working and it’s the right color.”

Even her screaming — I’ve figured out what’s the hunger scream is but the other ones I’m trying to understand. When she’s tired but doesn’t want to sleep and she’s fussy and whiny, even then I’m like, “That’s fine!”

Amalya is beautiful! The family portraits are both gorgeous. Kudos on Anna for being so strong and having a home birth.

Mariel
on February 16th, 2014

Loved the down-to-earth explanation of her choices surrounding the birth. Congrats to their lovely family!

Afish2000
on February 16th, 2014

Congratulations to you, Anna and the family! What a beautiful family you now have! I sure miss seeing you dance though!

dudley doright
on February 16th, 2014

sweet pics

suzy diamond
on February 17th, 2014

VERY nice family portrait

Kathy Carpenter
on February 17th, 2014

I admire her and her choices enormously. I could not have done it….I’m such a chicken. I had my last child without an epidural or meds and it was awful…..I was in so much pain I was getting panicky. I screamed at one point it was so bad. I was so embarrassed. But my son was a wonderful baby. He was so easygoing and slept all night almost from the time he was born……I was sure my screaming would make him scared of me for life.

I hope Anna comes back to DWTS eventually….she’s a wonderful dancer.

CJ
on February 17th, 2014

Congrats. Good for her on the home birth but I hate when people go on about how natural it is. It’s all natural, the baby must come out. It doesn’t make you a superhero to have a home birth though, billions of people have had babies in all kinds of ways.

Anonymous
on February 17th, 2014

Aww, what a cutie! It seems she looks just like her daddy!

Lauren Lev
on February 17th, 2014

Why was she so surprised by the pregnancy? If you have sex you can get pregnant, even on an IUD. And someone can have a normal pregnancy yet bleed out after a birth. What credit? Don’t be selfish;have the baby in a hospital. And, anyone who has a baby, even with drugs and/or surgery, is awesome!

Elara
on February 17th, 2014

Jaynes and Lauren: Unless you have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all. It is none of our business to comment on why she chose to give birth at home. It was her personal choice and apparently everything went fine. There is no need to be a bully, being negative or insult her. You both must feel incredibly bad about yourselves on the inside if you feel the need to insult a complete stranger to feel superior. Instead of saying congrats you chose to call a brand new mother selfish and stupid. Do you feel better about yourself now? Do you feel important now?

Congrats to the happy new family.

Mimi
on February 17th, 2014

After being married to Jonathan Roberts for so long and never having children, I wonder if he was bothered by this. For some reason, I don’t think her new guy is good looking. Maybe it’s the pics.

Carolyn
on February 17th, 2014

Stupid comment from People interviewer–“You’re amazing!” For gods sake, women have babies all the time, nothing amazing about it.

MJ
on February 17th, 2014

Wow! Anna sounds like an awesome and very down to earth woman. She is obviously a wonderful and attttentive parent. Definitely a truly blessed family.

sable senegal
on February 17th, 2014

Cute familyhope it works out for them and parenthood

Dee
on February 17th, 2014

I love the fact that she was open and educated about the process of home birth and not pushy and ignorant like some moms who act as if there is something wrong with getting an epidural.

She seems very down to earth. Congrats to her and her family, they are all beautiful🙂

Becky
on February 17th, 2014

I will never understand reading a happy, beautiful story. And people are clicking on the angry face. there are 18 angry faces for Anna and her beautiful new baby. Why? how can anyone be angry over new life? Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl.

Martina
on February 17th, 2014

Glowing happy family, a beautiful story… And angry responses. So sad for people that feel the need to stop all over someone else.

Congratulations to Anna, she looks so happy.

Mimi
on February 17th, 2014

What happened to her and Jonathan Roberts? I thought they were so in love and happy. Why didn’t she have children with him?

Mimi
on February 17th, 2014

I feel bad for her ex husband. They were married for 10 years and she didn’t want children. This guys is ugly.

Mimi
on February 17th, 2014

Really?

Kat
on February 17th, 2014

Congratulations to the happy parents!

She spilled the beans in this interview, going by what she said, she left her ex because she was ready to start a family and he wasn’t. She looked for a man who was ready, and here they are. I applaud her courage, you go girl!

Pam
on February 17th, 2014

I am so happy that I chose to give birth at the hospital. I had a completely healthy and normal pregnancy, but when my son was born there were complications. He had inflamed lungs and had to be taken from me to pump oxygen into his lungs. My waters were ruptured for 27 hrs before birth, so there was a risk of infection. He had jaundice. We had to stay at the hospital for 6 days to run tests and labs and to monitor his health. In the end he is perfectly healthy.

I am so glad that I didn’t choose to give birth at home, that scares the crap out of me. My son would’ve had to have been rushed to the hospital. I don’t get how someone could take that chance. I’m glad everything went well for her.

As far as the epidural goes I had a back injury due to the pregnancy so I was in so much pain that I chose to get the epidural (I had wanted to go natural). I got the epidural and because of my back injury it didn’t even work and I was in excruciating pain due to my back. It was a nightmare experience. I hope the next one is easier and less painful.

Mary
on February 17th, 2014

People are clicking “unhappy faces” because she cheated on her husband, the dancer, Jonathan from Dancing with the Stars with this guy. So that’s crap! She’s all happy with her little family and this new guy she “just adores” but you know they won’t last. Poor Jonathan.. hope he finds someone good enough for him next time!

ImaBoomer
on February 17th, 2014

ALL positive thoughts & a click on the “Happy Face” from me!

Rhonda
on February 17th, 2014

Congratulations Anna on the birth of your beautiful baby girl. And to the two women who chose to post negative comments – go somewhere else with your irritability.

Becky
on February 17th, 2014

I applaud Anna and her wonderful decision to have a home birth. I too had an amazing home water birth with my daughter. It was the best decision I ever made. Congratulations to her and her beautiful family.

PG
on February 17th, 2014

LOVE her! She will be a great Mom! Congratulations on her beautiful bundle of joy!

arijana
on February 17th, 2014

i applaud her for choosing to give birth the way she wanted to but i also applaud any women who has every given birth whether it was natural,epidural,etc. honestly who cares how the baby was born as long as the baby was brought into this world.not every pregnancy or birth is easy. all babies are miracles and i wish all you mommies a great day🙂

Beheard
on February 17th, 2014

Congrats! Best Wishes to you and your new daughter. I hope we will see again soon on Dancing With the Stars.

Pam
on February 17th, 2014

They split because Anna cheated that’s why Jonathan filed for divorce. If Jonathan didn’t want children then Anna should have been the one to file. She’s known this guy for 2 years but she’s only been divorced for less than a year.

Summer
on February 17th, 2014

I’m in awe of anyone who goes through childbirth without meds. I know thousands do it every day across the world, but I still think they are amazing. I was in incredible pain with both of my children before getting the epidural – those are some strong women!

danielle
on February 17th, 2014

i STILL FEEL BAD FOR JONATHAN😦

Chris
on February 17th, 2014

I had five children, no meds, wouldn’t even have considered it. That is my preference though but I guess it isn’t the norm? Congrats on the baby but again, I don’t understand the ” it’s not a walk in the park” comment because I never did have any meds or what have you and my son was 9.5 cm dilated for 12 hours and my contractions were 45 seconds apart.

Congrats to her. Glad it went well but I would NEVER deliver at home. An unanticipated emergency involving mom or baby can be life-changing….or life ending.no matter how good your midwife is, how much money you have, or how close you live to help sometimes the only place it canbe managed is at the hospital.As a nurse I would not even deliver at a hospital without a NICU. Not worth the risk IMHO, but everyone needs to make their own decision.

I’m Standing Right Behind You
on February 17th, 2014

I am GINORMOUS fan of DWTS and she is my favorite female pro.

Many blessings to her and her new family!

Yoyo
on February 17th, 2014

So sweet🙂

Brianne
on February 17th, 2014

Congrats, Anna! Amalya is precious and very blessed to have you as her mother! I miss you on DWTS, though!!!

sharon
on February 18th, 2014

good for her she never seemed happy with Jonathon, but she’s glowing now

Anonymous
on February 18th, 2014

Chris- “It’s not a walk in the park” just means that it’s not easy breezy (naturally, just like with everything, there ARE exceptions, but for most women, childbirth is a demanding and exhausting time!).🙂

Pam- Exactly. She’s KNOWN him for two years. That doesn’t mean she’s been with him romantically for all that time (and no, the pregnancy doesn’t prove that they were. She split with her husband in October of 2012, per the pregnancy annoucement post…and last time I checked, she wasn’t an elephant!😉 )!

Lauren Lev- Maybe she had been told she couldn’t have kids?

Linda
on February 22nd, 2014

Congratulations and best wishes on your beautiful daughter! Enjoy every minute of this very special time!

Vijaya
on February 25th, 2014

Very lovely. Amalya and Murphy makes four.

lois deangelis
on February 25th, 2014

nevin and anna lovely birth story. your family is so sweet.enjoy your time at home,it goes too fast.

sunniemonnie
on February 26th, 2014

Carolyn –
WRONG each and every one is AMAZING

wlaer
on February 27th, 2014

Congrats to her. I gave birth in a hospital recently, however I think giving birth at home is fine too. Both of my grandma’s did it and the majority of humanity was born at home prior to the past 50 years or so and most of the time things turned out well, otherwise there would be a whole lot less people in the world! I don’t know why people are hating so much on her..jealous much?! I did find the hospital setting to be all about interventions (iv’s, drugs etc), efficiency, watching the clock and hurried. Definitely not ideal… in most of Europe midwives are standard not dr.’s, that’s probably why the c section rate in the US is so high. Props to Anna for doing things her way without all the interventions hospitals and dr’s insist on.

Mary
on January 22nd, 2015

I am so happy for her, her motherhood and the baby. Kudos Anna for that motherhood experience like no other. I admire your courage.